The day I turned 17 years old was sad because no one wished me a happy birthday

On their 17th and 22nd birthdays, the narrator experienced profound sadness and loneliness due to the absence of birthday wishes from friends and family. Despite anticipating messages and celebrations, their phone remained silent, and social media feeds devoid of greetings. This led to introspection about their worth and significance in the lives of others. Although tempted to seek recognition, they refrained, valuing genuine gestures over superficial ones. Ultimately, the experience taught them to appreciate meaningful relationships over the quantity of wishes, despite the loneliness endured.